<p>I really want to do well on this test, and it would be very nice if anyone has any advice on how to get a five on AP physics B exam.</p>
<p>Hey,
I haven't taken it yet (I'm taking it this May, like you, I assume), but here are a few things that will help. You've probably heard it from your teacher already, but reminders are always good:</p>
<ol>
<li>Show your work. Do steps that you normally do in your head on paper.</li>
<li><p>Always give the units.
I've seen the solutions for many of the old tests and they occationally throw in extra points just for having units, or showing a certain step. It seems kind of obvious, but it shows that you know what you're doing and you aren't careless.</p></li>
<li><p>Be familiar with the equations on the test sheet, and know what you need to use for what. My teacher sometimes gives us slightly different equations (like he uses PE for potential energy instead of U) to help us remember, but makes sure we're familiar with the test formulas too.</p></li>
<li><p>If you aren't sure about a question on the free response--it's worth it to guess or reason it out (without spending copious amounts of time, of course)! You can't lose points like you can on the multiple choice, and you can often get a few more points even if you're not sure about the question (especially because you get the formulas for this part).</p></li>
<li><p>Be careful about guessing on the multiple choice--it's like the SAT that way. As an example, we did an old AP test as a midterm exam (my teacher only counted points for what we were supposed to know, but we got extra points if we did stuff we hadn't learned yet). I answered 28 MC questions, guessed on about 8 or 9 more MC and left the rest I wasn't sure about blank. Everyone else in my class guessed on a lot more of them. I did second best in my class on that section because I answered fewer problems (only the ones I was sure of or had down to 2 or 3 choices). This is in a class of 21 students. Of course, it's a little different on the actual test because you've covered most/all of the material, but it's still good advice.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I know these are mostly just testing skills, but part of the AP IS testing skills, so those are some good tips. ;)</p>
<p>Let me know if you want to compare notes or talk more or anything. I'm getting a little nervous about AP tests!</p>
<p>i sucked at physics last year, i hated the subject, didn't understand the concepts, and slept in class everyday. plus i was taking ap chem at the same time with ap lang and ap world. i was a sophomore, and completely overwhelmed.</p>
<p>i bought the barron's book for ap physics b, went through and highlighted it and did all the practice questions/tests.</p>
<p>also, i did four MC practice tests from collegeboard that i got from my teacher. (i still have these on my comp)</p>
<p>somehow, quite miraculously, i managed to get a 5=)</p>
<p>so it's definitely possible with hardwork and practice.</p>
<p>thanks so much... how many formulas did you memorize Gama Pasa?</p>
<p>^uhh i don't think you need to memorize any formulas. they give them all to you on the ap test if i remember correctly.</p>
<p>one thing that might be helpful to know, if you don't know already is that if you can't answer the first part of a FRQ problem, but can answer the rest if you had the answer from the first part, just make up an anwer for the first part and use it throughout the rest of the problem. you'll only lose credit for getting the wrong answer in the first part, but readers will give you credit for using the wrong value correctly throughout the rest of the problem.</p>
<p>How do the AP Physics B and the SAT II Physics tests compare?</p>
<p>write all your work down. you'll get points for the randomness things
if you don't know how to do a problem whose answer is used in the next problem, just make up an answer for it...and use it for the next problem
study conceptual stuff that will help u on MC
good luck!</p>
<p>Actually you do need to memorize formulas. They only give you the formula sheet on the FRQ.</p>
<p>You have to memorize the most general equations. If there's one question about the angular momentum of a ring, it's not worth it really. Here's the website for past FRs and scoring guidelines, so you'll know the little things they give credit for: AP:</a> Physics B</p>
<p>Um Physics B is a little more advanced than SATIIPhysics; there's more thinking questions where you have to apply yourself than just plug-and-chug questions</p>
<p>hey gamapasa, do you still have those MC tests? I'm taking the test soon and i would really like some practice.</p>
<p>you DO need to memorize formulas, and you CAN lose points for "guessing or reasoning it out" on part 2. for example, if you put more than the number of vectors specified in the answer key (lets say you put Tx, Ty, and T all on one pulley free-body diagram), you will get a point off. any unnecessary ******** added to the part 2 questions WILL lose you points. be careful.</p>
<p>For almost all of the mechanics problems they can give a point for putting "conservation of energy" or the formula for it.</p>